By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
In a dramatic revelation that has sent shockwaves across Liberia’s academic community, the President of the University of Liberia (UL), Dr. Layli Maparyan, has warned that students may soon face higher fees, despite the government’s unprecedented increase in the institution’s budgetary allotment.
The Liberian government recently raised UL’s allocation from US$30.6 million in FY2025 to over US$40.4 million in FY2026, marking a historic investment of US$40,587,284 aimed at sweeping infrastructure upgrades, academic expansion, and administrative reforms. Yet, according to Dr. Maparyan, the financial lifeline may not be enough to shield students from looming cost adjustments.
Speaking candidly on Lux FM, Dr. Maparyan declared that the university’s operations are under mounting strain. “If we think we gonna run school with US$15 fees, we are not, we can’t. People can grow with their economy,” she said, underscoring the harsh reality that the institution cannot sustain itself under current conditions.
The UL President pointed to skyrocketing operational expenses, fueled by global economic turbulence. She cited the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran as a key driver of rising oil and fuel prices, which have rippled across Liberia’s fragile economy. The university, she explained, is now spending significantly more on fuel for generators, transportation, and campus buses—costs that are eroding the impact of the government’s budgetary generosity.
Despite her stark warning, Dr. Maparyan praised Liberia’s free tuition policy for undergraduate students, describing it as one of the nation’s most cherished educational achievements. Introduced in 2018 under former President George Weah and UL’s then-President Ophelia Inez Weeks, the policy was hailed as a groundbreaking step toward accessible education. “Many students in other countries admire the opportunity available to Liberian students,” she noted, emphasizing the policy’s enduring value.
However, she also drew comparisons with regional institutions, such as the University of Ghana, where students pay significantly higher tuition fees per semester. The contrast, she suggested, highlights the delicate balance Liberia must strike between affordability and sustainability.
The warning has sparked intense debate among students and citizens alike. For many, the prospect of fee hikes threatens to undermine the very policy that has opened doors for thousands of young Liberians. Yet, others argue that without adjustments, the university risks stagnation and decline, unable to meet the demands of modern education in a rapidly changing world.
As Liberia’s flagship institution of higher learning, UL stands at a crossroads. The government’s record investment has ignited hope for transformation, but the specter of rising fees casts a shadow over its future. Dr. Maparyan’s message is clear: unless the nation confronts the economic realities head-on, the dream of affordable, quality education may soon come at a higher price.
